Surrounded by mountains that jut steeply out of the water to great heights, Lake Brienz is settled in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, a highland region where tiny charming villages have settled for thousands of years. Brienz has a longstanding tradition of wood carving and has both wood carving and violin making schools. The village showcases its talents on the Brunngasse, one of Switzerland's most beautiful streets with 18th century wooden chalets and wood carvings. Must-see or must-do attractions at Brienz include the Brienz Rothorn Railway, Switzerland's oldest steam cogwheel railway. The trains' passage reaches an altitude of 7362 feet chugging through tunnels, woodland, forest, pastures, and gorgeous mountain views.